Competition

Good to know

The height difference from the heel to the forefoot, also known as heel drop, toe spring, heel to toe spring
or simply drop.

There are many opinions about what a good heel drop is. We do not recommend any in particular. Lean more in this video.

Summary

We spent 7.4 hours reading reviews from experts and users. In summary, this is what runners think:

11
reasons to buy

A number of runners noted that the shoe has soft and reliable cushioning.

The Brooks Ravenna 8 is a lightweight running shoe.

A couple of runners mentioned that the shoe delivers enough amount of support without being bulky.

It has a comfortable and breathable upper, noted a few runners.

The Ravenna 8 is very responsive.

Many runners appreciated the durable construction of the shoe.

A reasonably-priced shoe.

The fit, right out of the box, was prized by some reviewers.

The sleek and stylish look completely satisfied many buyers.

It is a tad more breathable than the past model because of the new air mesh.

The grip is superior on most surfaces.

4
reasons not to buy

A few runners experienced heel slippage.

A handful of runners expressed their disappointment over the shoe’s durability.

It runs a little smaller and narrower than the past Ravennas, according to a couple of testers.

More color options would have resulted in more satisfied runners.

Bottom line

The Brooks Ravenna 8 is a reliable road running stability shoe that provides the right amount of support, cushioning, comfort, and durability. Many runners liked the springy and lightweight feel of the shoe.

The Ravenna 8 is the real "go-to shoe" and even surpasses the Adrenaline GTS, with its wider toe box and, a very reasonable price which makes it even more appealing.

83 / 100 by Runner's High • Craig • Level 3 expert

With the update to the 8, they definitely stripped it down a little bit. A little bit of a faster shoe, I would say. So, some people actually could potentially even use this as a, like, a [sic] Marathoning shoe, depending on what their traditional everyday trainer is.

90 / 100 by SBR Sport • Mike • Level 1 expert

I truly believe that if you do look at this as a light anti-pronator shoe, [sic] that you won't be making a mistake.

Despite being well-cushioned and providing some support, the Ravenna 8 is lightweight, and feels responsive and springy when on the road. Part of that is due to blown rubber on the forefoot section which results in a bouncy toe-off when running.

Updates to Brooks Ravenna 8

The Brooks Ravenna 8 continues to provide the same underfoot comfort and feel. It comes with minimal changes and one of the minor updates can be seen on the upper. It uses a new air mesh material with altered overlays that provides the same amount of breathability and support.

The shoe also comes with an enhanced adjustable saddle that provides a more secure fit in the midfoot.

The Ravenna 8 also comes with a new midfoot transition zone that delivers a faster feel and a smoother heel to toe transition.

To provide an enhanced traction and flexibility, the shoe features a redesigned outsole configuration and improved omega flex grooves.

Brooks Ravenna 8 size and fit

The Brooks Ravenna 8 is true to size. It provides a snug fit with a roomy toe box for natural toe splay. Brooks is offering the shoe in standard and wide widths for both men’s and women’s versions.

Outsole

The shoe features a completely redesigned outsole unit. It comes with a new rubber configuration designed to deliver an enhanced traction and the omega flex grooves are also modified for added flexibility. The updates in the outsole provide every runner an extra springy toe-off.

Midsole

The Ravenna 8 still utilizes the BioMoGo DNA midsole that deliver reliable underfoot protection and responsive feel. This works perfectly with the Diagonal Rollbar that aids the foot to move naturally for a more responsive ride while giving necessary support.

In order to provide a fast and smooth heel to toe transition, the Brooks Ravenna 8 uses a new midfoot transition zone.

Upper

The Brooks Ravenna 8 features a seamless design for a comfortable running experience. It uses a new air mesh material that provides a breathable foot coverage all throughout the run. The mesh upper is also designed to keep the foot dry.

The shoe also comes with a modified adjustable saddle that pulls from the heel, providing a secure fit in the midfoot area.